4mo ago

Police launch urgent search after girl, 11, falls into River Thames

Girl, 11, missing after entering River Thames ‘had been paddling’

Metropolitan Police launch ‘extensive search’ after child falls into water in east London

6 comments

If this happened in broad daylight and they can't find her it's not looking good unfortunately. Still hoping for a good ending to this story. Poor girl
That's really sad, feel especially bad for the kids who were with her who are going to feel this for the rest of their lives
https://www.swim-central.uk/what-age-should-children-learn-to-swim/
In England, swimming becomes a part of the national curriculum around Year 3 or 4.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year_1_(education)
Year 1 is an educational year group in schools in many countries including England, Wales, Australia and New Zealand. It is usually the first year of compulsory education and incorporates students aged between five and seven.
Hmm. So she probably should have had swimming instruction by that age.
- Cold flowing water is very very different from a warm swimming pool. Especially when dressed.
  The current in the Thames can get dangerous for strong adult swimmers in certain areas. (Or the whole upper thames at certain times of year)
  Strong adult swimmers dying in parts of the Thames is far from unheard off.
- It varies by county too.
  Cornwall does a shitload of swimming lessons, plus all the beach safety stuff (what the flags mean, how to spot/escape a rip, slip/slop/slap)
- have you tried swimming in a river?

6 comments